Jenny Thompson cites benefits of Olympic pool in city

DOVER — Mother, full-time doctor and four-time Olympian Jenny Thompson said her training in the Garrison City would have been even better if the proposed aquatic center had existed.

“My mom and I moved to Dover because of the swim team, coaches, pool and other recreational opportunities that Dover provided. I was already an accomplished age group swimmer in Massachusetts, but wanted to take my swimming to the next level,” Thompson said in an email, adding that she believes the proposed Jenny Thompson Aquatic Center would attract more Olympic level athletes to Dover.

Thompson, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Spectrum Medical Group, in South Portland, Maine, recalls years ago when she moved to Dover, she trained in the outdoor 50-meter pool, but said she had always dreamed of an indoor 50-meter pool, “like programs in other areas of the country.”

“The outdoor pool at Guppey Park is a true asset to Dover because it enriches the community and brings business to town with frequent summer swim meets, but the summer season is short,” Thompson said. “A true Olympic length, 50-meter indoor pool, would realize the vision that my former coach, Mike Parratto, and the Seacoast Swimming Association (SSA) board have dreamed of for years.”

The JTAC would not only host swim meets year round, but it would offer swimming lessons, water aerobics, physical therapy, masters programs, water polo, diving, synchronized swimming, scuba and kayaking lessons and training teams.

“I am completely biased, but I don't see a downside to building this aquatic center,” Thompson said. “The citizens of Dover could enjoy tremendous cultural benefit and opportunity whether they want to compete in aquatic sport, rehabilitate their knee after surgery, or splash around for a birthday party.”

Thompson said she would definitely frequent the JTAC if it were built.

“… how could I not? A beautiful new Olympic distance indoor aquatic center with my name on it — it would be a real dream come true and an amazing honor,” she said.

The 47,000-square-foot aquatics center is estimated to cost $14 million and will be run by a separate 501c3 entity, according to Tim Paiva of Seacoast Swimming Association. Paiva is proposing the facility to be built at Maglaras Park, but is open to other site locations. SSA would not own the facility and the land would be leased through the 501c3. Currently, the city contributes approximately $200,000 annually toward the community's pool programs and would not contribute any additional funds for the proposed aquatic center.

According to Thompson, “Businesses would also benefit because people will come to Dover for this pool since there are very few others like it in all of New England. There is so much potential to make Dover an even more amazing city.”